question directed at Brody instead of me. “This is a pleasure, right, bro?”
“Grace is joining us for dinner.” Brody keeps a hand on my hip, tugging me close. “Despite your hopes, I arrive home bowels intact and balls attached. No disemboweling, dismembering, or ass ripping.”
“Sorry, Grace. It was just a joke.” Asher smirks. “It really is nice to see you again.”
While Brody and I talked up a storm in high school, I can count on my fingers the number of times Asher and I engaged in conversation.
“It’s nice to see you too.” I glance at Brody, concerned. “I’m sorry to drop in unannounced. I thought Brody might have let you know ahead of time. If it’s an inconvenience…”
“No inconvenience.” Brody gathers the horses’ reins in hand. “Asher is thrilled to have company. Besides…” He flashes me a wink. “We can talk about his visit to Atwood Estates tomorrow.”
“Mixing business with pleasure?” Asher shakes his head. “Sorry, Grace, my brother has no manners at all.”
“If it really is a bother, I can go.”
Dealing with Brody challenges me all on its own. Add Asher into the mix and it’s twice as intimidating. Not to mention, Asher knows my history. He, along with the rest of the school, got an eyeful of me on that video. It may be years in the past, but if I’m thinking about it, I’m sure Asher is too. He and Brody obviously talked about me. Enough that he figured I’d read Brody the riot act. My cheeks heat thinking about what must be going through Asher’s mind when he looks at me.
“It’s no bother at all. In fact, why don’t you head inside? Evie is pulling chicken out to roast on the grill.” Asher watches his brother lead Spirit and Chesty over to the tack room.
Go into a stranger’s home unannounced? So not my comfort zone, but that feels less threatening than staying out here with Asher and Brody, two of the infamous trio in one place.
“Grace, he’s totally pulling your leg. I texted him from the trail. He and Evie are thrilled to have us. I’ll take care of the horses while you clean up.”
I look between them, not sure who’s telling the truth. Known for their antics, the La Rouge triplets are notorious for the pranks they pull. Instead of hanging out in the barn with the two of them, I decide I’m better off seeking out female companionship.
“I’ll just head to the house.” I back out of the barn, keeping my eyes on them the whole time.
“Smart move.” Asher winks, then he grabs Chesty’s reins and slugs his brother in the arm. “What the hell happened?”
Leaving them to it, I march across the gravel drive and climb the stairs, which lead to a massive, covered porch. There’s no doorbell, just a screen door. I pound on the doorjamb and listen for a response. When I hear nothing, I debate what to do next. Do I hang out on the porch or barge in?
Not comfortable hanging outside by myself, I shift foot to foot like an idiot. Fortunately, a voice calls out from inside.
“Hello? Grace? Come on in, girl. I’d come to the door but my hands are full.”
Hesitant, it takes a second to get over my awkwardness. I open the door and step inside La Rouge triplet central.
Twenty-Two
Grace
“Hello?” It’s uncomfortable walking into Brody’s house.
“Follow my voice. It’s a big house. I’m in the kitchen, elbow-deep in batter. Head to the right, through the great room, past the library, and you’ll find me.”
Gorgeous doesn’t begin to describe the house Brody grew up in. Stone walls, wooden floors, and massive beams overhead, I feel like I’m in a rustic cabin on steroids.
There’s a gravitas which hangs over the decor, the weight of history; a family joined through the generations. Family portraits decorate the walls, images of La Rouge families march backward in time. Smiles fill their faces, and I instantly feel welcomed and at home. I can’t help but wrap my arms around myself and soak it all in.
I don’t come from a big family. My grandparents died when I was little. My father was absent, chasing a life without a wife and kid weighing him down. Mark never married. It’s just me, Mom, and my uncle. I don’t have brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, and smiling grandparents. I feel the love filling the space and stop for a moment and imagine what that must be like.
The sound of a mixer draws me through the great room,